NASCAR News: Hamlin wins the pole for Playoff race at Las Vegas

Denny Hamlin (pictured) blazed to the Busch Light pole Saturday, capping a dominant Joe Gibbs Racing lockout of the top three starting spots for Sunday’s South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff showdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In the No. 11 JGR Toyota, Hamlin clocked a scorching 184.849 mph lap around the 1.5-mile high-banked oval, edging teammates Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Toyota) and Christopher Bell (No. 20 Toyota Camry) in a playoff trio that set the pace. It’s Hamlin’s first pole at Vegas—and the second time this season Toyota has swept the top three, following their top-five domination at Indianapolis this summer. The feat marks the 25th such sweep in Toyota’s storied history.

“I felt good about it, truthfully,” said Hamlin, the 2021 Vegas Playoff victor and current points leader. “There wasn’t a whole lot left out there for it. But a great job by this team to get my car good. It was strong in the short run during practice too—now we’ve got to dial it in for the long hauls tomorrow.

“Saturday qualifying has always been our Achilles’ heel at this track, so that’s a great way to turn it around.”

Gusty headwinds battered both practice and quali, with drivers battling stiff resistance on the backstretch. Undeterred, the eight playoff contenders posted sharp efforts: Beyond the JGR front three, Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott slotted fourth, trailed by teammates William Byron (fifth) and three-time Vegas winner Kyle Larson (sixth).

Reigning champ and defending Vegas Playoff winner Joey Logano landed ninth in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, while his 2023 title-winning teammate Ryan Blaney will launch from 14th.

Ross Chastain topped opening practice for Trackhouse Racing but grazed the wall in his No. 1 Chevrolet, forcing a frantic repair scramble—he’ll start 15th. JGR’s Ty Gibbs, quickest overall in practice, rounds out the top 10 for Sunday’s action.

South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Qualifying Results